Cranbrook’s place on the world stage of physique and fitness modelling continues to grow in more ways than one.
The Natural Physique and Athletics Association (NPAA) Canada Classic was hosted in Calgary on May 17, with eight Cranbrook athletes competing as members of Team Dickson, coached by Cranbrook-based trainer Laurie Dickson.
“I’m proud of each and every single one of them,” Dickson said. “It was an absolutely perfect representation of Team Dickson -- polished -- and also representing Cranbrook and area.”
Team Dickson put forth a strong showing, with two competitors advancing to the International Federation of Physique Athletes (IFPA) Yorton Cup in Washington, D.C., slated for Oct. 24, 2015.
Anael Delisle (tall bikini and open bikini) and Rachel Cohen (elite pro bikini) qualified for the world championship, joining Erika Rieve-Palmer (figure) as Cranbrook athletes headed to Washington in late October.
Corianne Smithhurst was nominated for the NPAA Transformation Award, which is given annually to an NPAA athlete who has shown dedication to fitness while battling and overcoming physical and/or emotional obstacles, including but not limited to weight loss, weight gain, impairment, illness or addiction.
Additionally, Dickson was nominated for the NPAA Coach/Trainer of the Year Award.
“It’s a huge feeling of accomplishment on a personal level because I’m not competing anymore,” Dickson said.
“It’s an honour for me to show other people how to implement the tools they already have.”
Dickson was previously named the 2013 NPAA Coach/Trainer of the Year following a long competitive career that saw her claim numerous titles on the national and international physique and fitness stage.
According to Dickson, the process to prepare an athlete for a show carries out over a six-month period, which features three phases. First, Dickson works with her athletes on building muscle, before moving into a leaning-out phase. The final phase of preparation sees athletes cut carbohydrates while increasing protein intake.
Dickson trains athletes out of Aspire2BFit Training Facility, which she opened in September 2014. The training facility is located at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort in Cranbrook.
As it stands, Dickson has a waiting list of hopeful clients at her Cranbrook facility.
As a part of her on-going search for a healthier lifestyle, Dickson will be opening the Beyond Training Cafe in July/August 2015, also located at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort in Cranbrook.
Dickson’s dedication and passion for fitness has inspired her to expand her Aspire2BFit brand beyond Cranbrook as well.
She is slated to open and oversee a brand new Aspire2BFit Training Facility in Salmon Arm, B.C., in August 2015 and plans on opening training facilities at other Prestige Hotels & Resorts locations throughout B.C.
“I’ll oversee and manage, train [a local trainer] according to my training methods, with use of Isagenix as their fuel source,” Dickson said. “It will be really neat. We’re going to go from town to town and duplicate every single one.
“It will be a lot of work, but I’m very fortunate and I’m very appreciative of it. It will come together.”
Prestige Hotels & Resorts has locations in Cranbrook, Golden, Kelowna, Nelson, Radium, Rossland, Salmon Arm, Smithers, Sooke and Vernon.
A big part of Dickson’s philosophy and approach to fitness and a healthier lifestyle comes from her experience as an independent associate for Isagenix, a health and wellness solutions company.
The NPAA Canada Classic, held at the University Theatre at the University of Calgary, saw a total of 190 athletes compete in five different categories -- men’s bodybuilding, men’s physique, women’s bikini model, women’s figure and women’s fitness model.
Team Dickson at 2015 NPAA Canada Classic (alphabetical by last name)
Rachel Cohen - women’s bikini model, elite pro - first placeAnael Delisle - women’s bikini model, tall - first place; women’s bikini model, open - first placeTrinia Deren - women’s bikini model, masters - fourth placeRaven Dhillon - women’s bikini model, mediumLaurie Dickson - nominated for 2015 NPAA Coach/Trainer of the YearTaylor Anne Salvador - women’s bikini model, shortGord Skulnec - men’s physiqueKelsey Skulnec - women’s fitness model, novice - third placeCorianne Smithhurst - women’s bikini model, medium; nominated for the 2015 NPAA Transformation Award